The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-02
CHARACTERIsTICs OF THE DAY.

OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
A Bright Ending of n Dark Beginning-The
Cisy's Holiday Drcss.
The weather Of the week, with its uncertain
temperature and sprinkiing rains, was 10th to
let go yesterday morning. for the Presi-
dents coming. 1t began the day with mist and
murkiness, without rift of sunshine, until the
middle of the forenoon, to promise bright end
ing to a dark beginning. An effort had been
made to give the streets through which the
presidential procession was to pass, an extra
cleanliness. but the walks and crossing were
slushy. while the streets themselves not
much better. But the day grew the clouds
began to tighten. through which tho finally
sent its cheering beams During all these
propitious hours preparations for the reception
went on as if every body was assured of bright
ness and gayety in their fullest measure by the
time the President reacked the city. Even
when the early rain was coming down with con-
siderable vigor the crowds began to gather on
the walks of Washington street. Two hours
later, and long before the procession formed
to march to the train. the throngs on both sides
of that street. from Mississippi east were only to
be numbered by the thousands. At every avail
able point afording good view there was
failure on the part of the early comers to mo-
nopoliZe and hold it against the more leisurely.
Men, women and children of all conditions
posed the crowds. which determined
to get all tho enjoyment to be had rain no
rain. The more prominent locations, such as
the Courthouse square, the junction of Wash
ineton and Illinois streets and Kentucky
nue., and the State-house grounds, were packed
with people At every window along the line Of
march and in most instances IN the midst Of gay
decorations stood groups of pleased spectators.
A fav 49, fha
the roofs OF the highest buildings. Il was an
outpourne of tho in which Indianapolis
alone not concerned: for in the throngs were
thousands OF visitors from every quarter OF the
Stats. 1t unqualified tribute to the
head of tho Nation
As the morning passed, excursion after excur-
train came in with its hundreds and thousands
The walks became crowded, the spectators
at the windaws or in the squares found
for more, and every point os advantage that
would raise above the heads Of the people
was seized. The holiday character of the time
became more pronounced and the influence of
the welcome strengthened into suppressed
thusiasm ready to break forth at the first
glimpse of the distinguished visitors. During
all this time tho hotel lobbias were crowded
with politicians and men Of note. Each
train BROUGHT additional representa-
tives to this class. However, little
politics was discussed as the days character aud
events absorbed every other inclination. The
marching of civil organizations and the military
to places OF rendezvous, now and then headed
by bands of music. added ITS inspiritinr feature
the early scenes. These societies, companies
and orders from every part OF the city,
but more conspicuous than a.: were the 800
members Of the Hendricks Club in their simple
but neat distinction of gray hat and cane. Each
member wore his breast an expanse of badge
bearing the legend "Hsndricks Club" which
eoualed the and hat a distn gushing
mark. Eyerywhers could ba seen the signs OF a
festival day in the crowd-the music. the gay
uniform and banners.
While the decorations mostly after one
general idea, the effect throushous the length of
Washington street. where the eater part of bunt-
ing and muslin was used, was pleasing. Stream
ers and flags predomina:ed. but their arrange
ment such to afford marked variety.
The red, white and blue crossed diagonay on
windows and fronts in many instances while in
others they hung in graceful folds from house
tops window ledges NoticeabIy of the latter
character the drapery in front
of Albert Calls. The efec. was artistic,
which helped by fne eDgravings
in the window, one ''Waehinet Crossing
and the other picture of Mr.. Cleveland. under
which was "Our Mascot" Eastman, Schleicher
6 Lee. not far away. had beautiful display,
did L. S. Ayres and others. A feature OF the
decoration of Sullivan's dry goods was a
large sized picture of the GODDESS of Liberty. A
large portrait OF VIM. E. Gladstone was in
of the show-winiows, richly draped with the
English and Irish colors At Coy's place
festoons and muslns with pictures OF Cleveland
and Hendricks. Over the former oval
ground ono could read Welcome to Our Chief"
and over the other, 1--WE Mourn Our Loss"
But notices and legends were rare. the desire
for decoration being satisfied with sim pie details.
Perhaps the most suggestive was the tribute
Hon. Wm. H. English paid in stretching across
Meridian street, just at its northern intersection
with the Circle, n streamer which bore ''Wel-
come to Our President; Honest. Qualified and
Faithful" Pictures of Mr.. and Mrs. Cleyeand
were almost as plentiful the windows in the
buildings and in nearly every case they were
framed in evergreeEs the finest bunting.
Throughout the resident portion of the city the
decorations were in not a few instances cnite
elaborate especially on houses of representative
Democrats. Those of John w. Murphy and
John ]. Cooper noticeable for their hand
soue arrang cement
A aalf hour before tho President. arrived there
were at least $4,000 peopls on the walks of
WashiGgto street, between. Tennessee and
Delaware, distance of four Squares Counting
those who witnessed the parade from other
points in that line, there must have been 30 900
people who added their presence to tho welcome
the distinguished visitors. The crowds in
other lines of the march were in keeping with
this throng.
Whllo the streets wers crowded there was
but little enthusiasm manifested after the Presi-
dent arrived The event was by no uaeaua an